Pisa, Lucca, Bologna, Lignano and Venice

On Saturday, we checked out of our apartment in Grosseto, feeling a bit relieved after three weeks, especially because it didn't turn out exactly as I had planned. Jason worked for half of our time there, and we didn't quite get the vibe and routine I had been hoping for.
On our way to our next destination, we made stops in Pisa and Lucca, where we said goodbye to Denise. She was traveling on her own to Florence, Venice, and Verona.
I truly fell in love with Lucca; I found it very charming and elegant, although it was a bit touristy. I'm sure it would be a wonderful place to live, especially during other seasons.
Our next brief stop was in Bologna, where we spent a night to break up the journey to Lignano Sabbiadoro. Bologna was absolutely beautiful! I loved the variety of architecture, the arcades (portici), the many towers, and the hills surrounding the city. It was another place that brought tears to my eyes. I was at the very top of the clock tower, taking in the beautiful views when I suddenly felt very emotional. It was a mix of gratitude for being able to see such beauty and a hint of sadness, knowing I would soon be far away and unable to enjoy it again.
Three hours later, we arrived in Lignano Sabbiadoro, a seaside town in northeastern Italy not far from Venice. This is where we met my friend Sara and her family. Sara and I met in Australia 17 years ago, just three months after I arrived in Sydney. We shared a room in Manly for about a year! After Sara left Sydney, we crossed paths again in Byron, Thailand, England, and now... Lignano! Needless to say, Sara is still a very dear friend of mine, and spending a week with her, her husband Andrew, and their son Dao was truly amazing. This was the first time our two families had met, and it was a very special moment for us.
Our days were filled with laughter, games, trips to the beach and back, gelato, cooking, and, of course, aperitivos!
We had a fantastic day at Acquasplash, a large water park, where Jason and the kids had the time of their lives! Yes, Jason was probably the one who enjoyed it the most, trying out all the different slides and never wanting to stop! 😊
Another incredible day was when we all went to Venice to meet Denise (my mother-in-law) on her birthday! How lucky we were to be there on that day! Venice is still wonderful, albeit a bit too touristy and crowded. However, if you can focus your attention on the buildings, canals, bridges, and imagine what life was like there just 100 years ago, you'll find yourself transported to another world, a very special one indeed!
It was fascinating to listen to the gondolier during our gondola ride. He told us interesting stories about how traditions are still strong in Venice and how he could only have his own gondola after receiving the license from his father. Before that, for 15 years, he could only work on call, which meant a very limited income.
The place is filled with intriguing stories and characters. We saw Casanova's house, the prison where Silvio Pellico was incarcerated, and the Bridge of Sighs, where prisoners uttered their final sighs of hope before being locked away forever.
Venice might not be my favorite place in Italy, but it's a place everyone should see, in my opinion...